1. Scientific Method
& Experiments

2. Scientific Method Do scientists follow the scientific method?
Why have a method?

3. Experimental Design Elements of an experiment: 1) Hypothesis
2) Variables: Independent & Dependent
D = dependent variable R = responding variable Y = graph information on the vertical axis M = manipulated variable  I  = independent variable X  = graph information on the horizontal axis
3) Constants
4) Control group
5) Repeated trials

5. Questions Why do we need a “control”?
Why is there only one element of the experiment that changes?
Here is an example of a hypothesis. Identify the independent variable and the dependent variable: If the amount of fertilizer is increased, then the average plant height will increase.

6. Credits